what is contraception?

Contraception stops you getting pregnant.

Short Term Methods

There are many methods to choose from - used yearly, weekly, daily or each time you have sex
• Combined pill
• Progestogen-only pill
• Contraceptive patch
• Male condoms
• Female condoms
• Diaphragms and caps
• Natural family planning

long term & permanent methods

Long-term methods - don't depend on you remembering to take or use them daily or when you have sex. Long term contraception can last for months or years.
• Injection
• Implant
• IUD (Intrauterine device)
• IUS (Intrauterine system)

Permanent methods
Male sterilisation (vasectomy)
Female sterilisation

You can download Health Scotland 's information leaflet on longer-lasting contraception :

Longer Lasting Contraception, LARC leaflet - http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3521.aspx

Emergency contraception - what you need to know

If you have had sex without using contraception, or if your contraception failed, you or your partner can use emergency contraception. If you act quickly, emergency contraception will usually prevent pregnancy. Pills need to be taken within 72 hours.

IUCD's (Coils) can also be used for emergency contraception. They can be used up to five days after unprotected sex (and sometimes even longer). Contact a Family Planning Clinic (01294 323228) or your GP for advice.

Women can get emergency contraception pills free from:
- your GP
- any family planning clinic
- any young person's clinic
- most sexual health clinics
- Ayr hospital accident and emergency department
- most pharmacies
- out of hours the emergency doctor service (ADOC) phone first

You can buy emergency contraception pills from most pharmacies. All the advice and treatment you receive is confidential - wherever you receive it.

If you have had unprotected sex you are also at risk of sexually transmitted infections, if you are worried about infections you can get checked out at your local Sexual Health Clinic

What is hormonal contraception?

Hormones are chemical messengers that the body makes. Hormonal contracptives use synthetic versions of hormones. The hormones in contraceptives send messages which switch off your fertility until you stop using them. There are two types of hormone used in contraceptives, oestrogens & progestogens. There are several types of progestogen used in contraceptives.

Which types of contraception contain hormones?

Those containing both hormones, oestrogen and a progestogen
•  Combined pill
•  Contraceptive patch

The others which contain only one hormone - progestogen
• Progestogen only pill
• Injection
• Implant
• IUS (Intrauterine system)

Which sorts of contraception don't contain any hormones?

• Male condoms
• Female condoms
• Diaphragms and caps
• Natural family planning
• Withdrawal
• Breastfeeding
• Intrauterine devices
• Sterilisation

How do you decide which is best for you?

Here are some questions you could consider

How important is it for you that you don't get pregnant?

If its very important, a long term method such as an IUD might be a good choice as they have a very low failure rate and don't rely on you doing anything about them!!

Do you need protection from sexually transmitted infections?

If you are having sex the best protection against infection is to use a condom. Condoms can break, and there are better ways to protect yourself from pregnancy, so if you don't want a baby or an infection, use a reliable method of contraception PLUS a condom.

Would you remember to take the pill regularly?

Some women, for example, shift workers, sometimes find it hard to take the pill at the same time every day, so a 'fit and forget' method like the implant, IUD or injection may be better.